Mensa Nord Darmstadt – Germany

Completed in 2021, the Mensa Nord Darmstadt serves as the new refectory and auditorium for the North Vocational School in Darmstadt, Germany. The project is a showcase of laminated timber construction combined with architectural transparency and warmth.

The building was designed by Wulf Architekten with Mr. Hernandez from Office Wulf and planned by wh-p GmbH consulting engineers. Construction was carried out by Merkle woodwork GmbH, with project management led by the City of Darmstadt’s development company.

Key highlights:

Connector systems: The timber structure relied on RICON S and MEGANT connectors, ensuring both secure load transfer and the ability to handle the large glulam beam spans.
Timber grid structure: An orthogonal grid of glulam beams, each approximately 90 cm high and 20 cm wide, was used to form the primary structure. The beams were rigidly connected in both directions, giving the hall strength and architectural clarity.
Design integration: Glass facades and timber cladding complement the wood structure, creating a warm and inviting environment. The sheltered balconies along the façade provide outdoor space for relaxation and panoramic views of the campus.
Scale and cost: The building comprises a converted space of 14,650 m³, with construction costs around €13.9 million.

This project demonstrates how RICON S and MEGANT connectors make large-span laminated timber structures possible, while also supporting high architectural standards for institutional and educational buildings.